This is the blog for Gavin and Carrie Jones and family. We live in Papua New Guinea and are working to support Bible translations in progress around the country and the people of PNG. Gavin is a helicopter pilot. Carrie, who has her degree in Public Health, is currently the lab supervisor and one of five lab techs at our busy rural clinic. Our son, Isaac, was born in 2004 and our quintuplets, Will, David, Marcie, Seth, and Grace, were born in 2012.

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children's children . . . Psalm 103:17

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Friday, March 25, 2016

Another GOOD Friday

Will, Seth and Marcie posing with Gavin on the motorbike (No, this isn't how we usually travel - although it is how we were raised on the mission field in Colombia, South America! Good memories.)

It's Good Friday and Maundy Thursday as I write this, and I've been wanting to share a few things from a great devotional I've been reading, Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick. Day 24 is so timely today!:

John 18:4-8

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they answered.
"I am he."
They fell back in terror.
"Whom do you seek?" he asked again.
They answered as before.
"I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go."

Elyse continues: Even though his friends weren't worthy of his protection, of his sacrifice for them [having failed to stay awake and watch and pray with him earlier in the evening], he was determined. "Take me. Let them go." That's been his theme throughout all eternity. "Take me. Punish me. Let them go." . . . He interposed his body between the wrath of the religious leaders and his weak disciples; he interposed his precious blood between the righteous wrath of his Father and his sinful bride. . . . What a Savior!

Our Savior continues to guard us here in PNG. We're all so happy and healthy, although we know neither health nor happiness is a guarantee in this life. We're grateful for the easy times, the times of blessing, but we know we are also called to pick up our own crosses and follow Him. When difficult times come, He enables us and even gives us a joy and peace that can't be humanly explained. He yokes Himself together with us. He's already carried the heaviest burden in all of history: the Cross that sets us free, that makes every burden we bear only temporary and ultimately minuscule in light of Eternity.

[And in the background of all this, Gracie and Marcie are arguing the same point. "No, you CAN'T spill your milk!" "Yes, I CAN'T spill my milk!" Back and forth, back and forth. Life is always funny around here!]